Monday's Must Have - Vacation

Back from a wonderful beach vacation. Had a great time and have returned home feeling well rested and refreshed. Here a just a few of my favorites of Grace having fun on the beach.

Monday's Must Have - Models V3.0

My final model search for awhile, as I've been working hard to fill in the gaps to my portfolio...and my busy portrait season will be here before I know it.

I am in search of three recent brides for a evening bridal portrait session (all three sessions will take place the same evening). It is not a requirement, but it probably best that the wedding has already taken place, because we don't want to worry about the dress getting a little dirty. I'm not looking to do a "trash the dress" type of session, but I also don't want to be restricted. I will supply a bouquet. Professional hair and makeup is not a requirement, a simple updo or even a bun under the veil will do.

If you are interested, please send an image of yourself to danielle@dmphotos.net. Photo should preferable be from your wedding or you in your wedding gown. Models will recieve a complimentary 8x10 and 5x7 of images of their choice ($60 value). Session will occur on Monday, August 17th (rain date to be determined).

Classy

This was engagement session #2 last Saturday in Philly. I was so excited when Judy and Jason showed up all dressed up and looking amazing!!! They attend formal galas often, so it was appropirate that they dressed to nines for their session. We had a great time, until the bad weather finally showed up and cut our time a little short. Hopefully we will find another date later this summer or fall and finish up our session!! Until then, I hope you enjoy this sneak peek!

I just adore how Jason is looking at Judy here...so sweet.

Young Love in the City

Becky and Lenny have been engaged for a a whole three weeks!! Oh to be young and in love...there is nothing like it. We had a wonderful time on Saturday afternoon in Philly, walking around the city and stopping along the way to take photos. We made our way down to South Street, where the very color mosaics are and found so very cool alleyways. And we ended up in Rittenhouse Square, which I learned was where Becky and Lenny had their first date. I always love to take photographs in locations that are special and unique to the couple. Thank you Becky & Lenny for a wonderful afternoon! Enjoy your sneak peek!

LOVE this one. A absolute favorite!!!

This umbrella wasn't just a prop, it was actually raining a little bit!! I adore everything about this one too!

Monday's Must Have - A Nap

Yeah, so it was a busy week last week with lots of late nights which results in the lack of sleep. So today, I'm taking it easy. I probably won't actually get to take a nap, but I will get to bed early instead. Just in case you weren't aware of the benifits of a nap...


There seems to be a biological readiness to fall asleep in the mid-afternoon which coincides with a slight drop in body temperature and occurs regardless of whether we eat lunch.


Research on napping suggests that an afternoon nap as short as ten minutes can enhance alertness, mood, and mental performance, especially after a night of poor sleep.

So enjoy your afternoon and take a nap!

Blog Party - Day 5 - WINNERS!

And the winner is....

I now have the fun job of announcing all my winners!

Monday: Favorite Kids Portrait
First....the "favorite kids portrait" The winner is #11...Ashley. The first prize winner is an 11x14 of the winning image and a second 11x14 from a future paid session. With #4 in second and #6 in third.

And here is the winning image...

Tuesday: Favorite Relationship Portrait

Congratulations to Carolyn and Pat who won this by a landslide. The votes between the following three were really close and the ranking changed quite a bit throughout the week. At the end of the voting, #7 ended up in second place and #8 in third.

The winning image:

Wednesday: dm Gift Certificate

As always, this was a difficult decision to make. I received some very heartfelt entries. The most touching (and the one I have chosen as the winner) is from a husband who wanted to recognize his wife and everything she does for their family. He wrote: "My wife is a selfless, caring person who works long hours inside and outside of our house.....I would like very much for her to get something nice for a change." Congratulations to this wonderful, deserving mom! All winners will be contacted by email.

Thursday: iTunes Gift Card
Congrats to Jason (commenter #5) on winning the iTunes gift card.

Thank you to all of my blog visitors, friends and especially the wonderful families, children and couples that I've had the opportunity to photograph over the past year. As I have said previously, it means so much to me that I have been trusted to capture your special moments!

Blog Party - Day 4

Here's an easy contest...all you need to do is leave a comment.

It doesn't matter what you say in your comment. You can say "Hi", tell me your favorite color, tell me that I rock...it doesn't matter (and don't worry the actual comments won't impact the winner...its selected at random!).

What can you win by leaving me some blog love? An $10 iTunes gift card. You do need to leave an email address in the comment so I can get in touch with the winner. Because I am a blog comment junkie and want lots of comments, if there are more than 20 comments, two winners will each receive a $10 iTunes gift cards! Comments left by midnight tonight will be included. Winner announced tomorrow.

Blog Party - Day 3

I'm repeating this contest from last year's blog party. Today is also known as "big prize day". Its when I give away a gift certificate, well, to me! Just like last year you need to tell me why you deserve a portrait session. Or, tell me why someone you know deserves one. Again, I'm looking for anything...heartfelt words, a photo, a poem, limerick, anything you want.

What do you get for your creativity? A gift certificate for Danielle McElhaugh Photography worth $300! This can be used for yourself or be given as a gift. This gift certificate can used as your heart desires (session fee, reprints, art products). Beacuse I know I'm going to get so many wonderful entries, I will have runner up prizes. Two additional entries will recieve a free 10x20 gallery mount collage from a future paid session ($150 value). Its a brand new product that I will be offering and its beautiful! It comes ready to hang and doesn't need to be framed. (I'm waiting on my sample and as soon as I get it I'll post photos!)

Entries need to be email to danielle@dmphotos.net and must be received by Thursday at 11:59 PM. Of course the winner will be announced on Friday! I can't wait to see them...Good Luck!

Blog Party - Day 2

Its another favorite portrait contest today. I photographed so many wonderful children, families and couples over the past year so it was hard to narrow it down. Instead, I decided to include everyone and break it up into 2 groups. Yesterday category was kids (contest is still open until Thursday evening, so there is still time to vote) and today's category is "relationships." This includes the unique relationships between a mom and her newborn baby, a newly engaged couple, siblings and the relationship of a family.

Prizes are the same...The winner will get an 11x14 of the winning image AND a 11x14 from a future session ($120 value). Second place will win an 8x10 and third place a 5x7. Voting will be open until Thursday, June 18th at 9:00PM. Winner will be announced on Friday.

Small print & Details...Please vote only once. If a tie occurs, 5 photographers will vote to break the tie. No substitution of image will be allowed, unless image has already been ordered larger than an 8x10. Additional 11x14 is from a future paid session. Future session must occur prior to Dec 31, 2009.

Monday's Must Have - A Blog Party

Its my second annual BLOG party. My blog is now 2 years old. Happy Blog Birthday! And just like last year, I'm having a week long party to celebrate. That means contests, prizes and more!! There will a chance to win something fun everyday this week, so be sure to come back and visit often!

Today, is a contest for "Favorite Kids Portrait". I'm gathered my favorite 16 images of kids. Vote for your favorite. Get your friends, families, coworkers, strangers, whoever to vote also. I'm changed the voting procedure, so it should be easier and less complicated to vote. So get your votes in!!

The winner will get an 11x14 of the winning image AND a 11x14 from a future session ($120 value). Second place will win an 8x10 and third place a 5x7. Voting will be open until Thursday, June 18th at 9:00PM. Winner will be announced on Friday.

Small print & Details...Please vote only once. If a tie occurs, 5 photographers will vote to break the tie. No substitution of image will be allowed, unless image has already been ordered larger than an 8x10. Additional 11x14 is from a future paid session. Future session must occur prior to Dec 31, 2009.

#47 - Check (& Check)

I had two amazing engagement sessions yesterday in center city, which means I can check of #47 from my 101 in 1001 list - "Shoot e-session in Philly." So Judy & Jason, and Becky & Lenny, here are your pre-sneak peeks.

Miss Personality

My first (almost) Tween. Kamryn will be turning 9 next month and is one of my Tween models. She might be the youngest tween model that I will be photographing, but you wouldn't know it if you met her. She is so outgoing and has such a personality. And nonstop energy. If I could only have a tenth of her energy I would be all set! Here are some of my favorites!

A rare serious moment. In between giggles and silly faces, I knew when I clicked the shutter for this one, I had it!

#20 Check

Its been awhile since I've had any updates about my 101 in 1001 list, but I am working on completing a few things. One thing I can cross off is #20 - Take Grace to the Zoo. Its sad, but even though I've been in the Philly area for almost 10 years, I hadn't been to the Philadelphia Zoo. Last month we joined my nephews (and their mom and dad) on their annual Mother's Day trip to the Zoo. It was a great day, and Grace had a blast seeing all of the animals and spending time with her cousins! Here are a few of my favorites from the day.


When did my nephew Jackson grow up?

Monday's Must Have - Summer Clothing Guide

Today's must have is a Summer Clothing Guide to help with the "what to wear" question. I plan to do these more often, rather than just once a season, so I won't say much. Black and white is a great color combo. And its easy to add in an additional color...red, blue, green...any of them will look great with black and white. It can be casual or dressy. Can easily match your family's style and personalities!

Counting the Day

I photographed Carolyn and Pat last weekend and am finally getting their sneak peek up. Carolyn & Pat will be getting married in just a few short weeks and I've very excited to be documenting. We went to one of my favorite locations and it was just beautiful, as always. I love doing engagement sessions...its a great way for me to get to know the couple better and it gives the couple a chance to be in front of the camera before the big day. I can't wait to see you both in a few weeks!